Near Skykomish in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
A Route Still in Use
Iron Goat Trail
MP 1718.98
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 30, 2015
1. A Route Still in Use Marker
Downstream from here, about one mile to the west of where you are now standing, the “last spike” connecting the tracks from the west and east was driven into the ground late at night on January 6, 1893.If you look across this valley you can see tracks that follow the same route that was used when this railroad was built in the 1890's. Before the opening of the 8-mile Cascade Tunnel in 1929 these tracks were used by Great Northern trains that ran where the Iron Goat Trail is today. Trains coming down the mountainside made a great looping turn at Scenic to head west toward Skykomish, Everett and Seattle. Today, these tracks are part of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway system.
Originally there was only one track where you are looking. In 1966, a passing track was constructed. Otherwise, this route has changed little since 1929.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is January 6, 1893.
Location. 47° 43.089′ N, 121° 10.886′ W. Marker is near Skykomish, Washington, in King County. Marker can be reached
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Twin Tunnels Bored Through Granite (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Snowsheds Protected the Railway (approx. half a mile away); Snowsheds Needed Solid Support (approx. 0.9 miles away); Early Skykomish (approx. 8.3 miles away).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Iron Goat Trail
Also see . . . Great Northern Railway (Wikipedia). The railroad's best-known engineer was John Frank Stevens, who served from 1889 to 1903. Stevens discovered Stevens Pass through the Cascade Mountains. The mainline crossed the Cascade Mountains through the Cascade Tunnel under Stevens Pass, reaching Seattle, Washington, in 1893, with the driving of the last spike at Scenic, Washington, on January 6, 1893. (Submitted on September 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
July 30, 2015
2. Marker detail: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Active Railway Line
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 30, 2015
3. A Route Still in Use Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
